At what age can a baby ride in a bike trailer?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until a child can sit upright unassisted and has adequate neck strength to wear a helmet, typically around 12 months. Neither Burley nor Thule recommends use before that age. Always confirm with your pediatrician.

Does the Thule Coaster XT convert to a stroller?

Yes. The Thule Coaster XT includes a stroller kit that converts the trailer into a pushable stroller using a front wheel and handlebar assembly. It also converts to a jogger and a bike trailer, making it a 3-in-1 system.

How much does the Burley Bee weigh compared to the Thule Coaster XT?

The Burley Bee weighs approximately 22 lb without passengers. The Thule Coaster XT comes in at roughly 26 lb in trailer configuration. If you frequently lift the trailer into a car or up stairs, that 4 lb difference is noticeable over time.

Are bike trailers safe for children?

Bike trailers that meet ASTM F1975 and CPSC standards are considered a safe option for children 12 months and older when used correctly. Both Burley and Thule design to these standards. Children must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet at all times, and trailers must be attached with a safety strap in addition to the primary coupler, per CPSC guidance.

Can both trailers carry two children?

Yes. Both the Burley Bee and the Thule Coaster XT are two-passenger trailers rated for up to two children and a combined passenger weight of 100 lb. Single-child configurations work in both as well.

Burley Bike Trailer vs Thule Coaster XT: Which Is Better

Quick answer: Burley for most families, Thule if you need stroller mode

If you want a reliable, lighter-weight bike trailer for children aged 1 to 6 that focuses on doing one thing well, the Burley Bee (Burley’s entry-level two-child trailer, weighing approximately 22 lb) is the better buy for most families. It meets ASTM F1975 safety standards, costs less, and is simpler to set up and store.

The Thule Coaster XT earns its higher price only if you genuinely need the three-in-one conversion. It adds roughly 4 lb over the Burley Bee and runs about $100 more, but it converts from trailer to stroller to jogger without buying add-on kits separately. If you live in a walkable neighborhood and want to park the bike but keep rolling, the Coaster XT pays for itself.

Below is a direct comparison across the traits that matter for families pulling children under 6.

Safety standards: Both pass, with one caveat

Both trailers are designed to meet ASTM F1975, the standard specifically covering non-motorized child carriers for bicycles. The CPSC oversees compliance with this standard and recommends all trailers include a secondary tether in addition to the primary hitch coupler. Both Burley and Thule include that secondary safety strap.

The Burley Bee uses a flag-plus-strap attachment that clips to the bike’s rear axle or dropout with a secondary tether wire. The Thule Coaster XT uses a similar two-point system but with a slightly bulkier hitch arm that some parents find easier to read as “locked in.”

One important note on helmets: the AAP is explicit that children riding in bike trailers must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet, even though they are passengers. The trailer can tip or be hit from behind. A helmet sized to the child’s head with no more than two fingers of gap at the front brim is non-negotiable. Neither brand includes a helmet; you will need to source one separately, and Thule’s own accessory line and Joovy both make trailer-compatible infant helmets.

No CPSC recalls were active for Burley or Thule bike trailers as of the date of this article, but you should always verify at cpsc.gov/Recalls before buying used or storing a trailer for a season.

Weight and portability: Burley wins at 22 lb

The Burley Bee comes in at approximately 22 lb without passengers, and its fold is flat enough to slide under most beds or into a trunk without disassembling the wheels. The Thule Coaster XT is heavier at roughly 26 lb in bike trailer mode, and that weight increases slightly when you attach the stroller handlebar and front wheel kit.

Four pounds sounds trivial until you are loading the trailer into a minivan three times a week or carrying it up an apartment stairwell alone. Over a two-year period of regular use, lighter wins.

If you own a Thule rack or Thule stroller system already, the Coaster XT’s weight distribution feels more familiar, and the build quality is perceptibly stiffer at the frame junctions. Brands like Chicco and BOB make single-child joggers in this weight class too, but neither doubles as a two-child bike trailer at this price point.

Multi-mode conversion: Thule Coaster XT is the clear winner

The Thule Coaster XT is genuinely a three-in-one product. Out of the box it includes:

Bike trailer hitch arm and flag (trailer mode)
Front wheel and push handlebar (stroller mode)
Fixed-wheel jogger conversion (jogger mode)

The Burley Bee is a trailer-only product. Burley sells a separate jogging stroller conversion kit for some of its higher-tier trailers like the Burley D’Lite, but the Bee does not support stroller conversion. If you want multi-mode in the Burley line, you step up to the Burley D’Lite X, which adds about $150 to the price and still requires purchasing the stroller kit separately.

For a family where one parent bikes while the other walks, or for urban families who want to leave the bike at home on short errands, the Thule Coaster XT’s stroller mode is a genuine differentiator. At a walking pace the Coaster XT steers acceptably though it is not as nimble as a dedicated stroller like the UPPAbaby MINU or a Nuna TRVL. Treat the stroller mode as a convenience feature, not a primary stroller replacement.

Ride quality and cargo: Closer than expected

Both trailers use 20-inch wheels with pneumatic tires. Both have a padded bench seat with a five-point harness sized for two children. Neither trailer is truly all-terrain; they both handle paved paths and packed gravel but will feel choppy on rooted dirt trails.

The Burley Bee’s interior cargo shelf sits behind the seating bench and holds a modest amount: a diaper bag, two water bottles, and a small snack bag fit without issue. Burley quotes the cargo capacity at roughly 50 lb combined passenger weight per child (100 lb total for two children).

The Thule Coaster XT has a slightly larger weather cover that seals more completely at the lower zipper. In a light rain, both trailers keep the cabin dry, but the Thule’s cover is faster to deploy one-handed. In heavy rain, neither is a substitute for staying off the road.

Harness buckle quality is roughly equal. Both use a plastic buckle that adjusts at the shoulder and crotch strap. One honest con for both trailers: the shoulder straps require re-threading rather than simple slide adjustment when moving between a smaller and larger child, which is a 3-minute task that feels slower than it should when you are running late.

On ventilation, the Burley Bee has mesh side windows with a roll-up clear screen. The Thule Coaster XT also uses mesh panels but positions them slightly higher, which parents of shorter toddlers report makes the interior feel more open. In summer temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, open the mesh panels and keep rides under 45 minutes regardless of which trailer you choose; neither has active airflow.

Bottom line: Buy Burley for simplicity, Thule for versatility

For families who primarily bike and want a safe, lighter, lower-cost two-child trailer, the Burley Bee is the stronger choice. It weighs 22 lb, meets ASTM F1975, has no recall history, and does exactly what a bike trailer should do without confusion.

For families in walkable neighborhoods who want one piece of gear that transitions from bike to walking path to jogging track, the Thule Coaster XT justifies the extra weight and cost. The three-in-one conversion is thoughtfully engineered and does not feel like an afterthought the way some jogger kits do on competitor trailers.

What both trailers share: a requirement that your child be at least 12 months old, be able to wear a helmet, and be buckled with all five harness points before every ride. The CPSC is clear that the secondary tether strap must be attached any time the trailer is in motion behind a bicycle. Inspect the hitch coupler for wear every 10 to 15 rides.

Browse the Burley Bee on Amazon: check current Amazon price.

Browse the Thule Coaster XT on Amazon: check current Amazon price.

For more on how we evaluate bike trailers, read our testing methodology. You may also find our category roundup of the best bike trailers for toddlers useful if you are still deciding between more than two options.